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Job interviews are pretty daunting, in all sorts of different ways. It’s already a pretty harrowing thing to be put in a situation where you are going through a make or break “test” to obtain a job you really want and care about, and when you add in the importance of personal presentation, a well-formatted CV, and all the rest, it can be difficult to stay calm and composed.

The worst fear for many of us, in a job hunting context, is that we will be arbitrarily denied the role, due to some prejudice or personal act of malice on the part of the recruiter. If and when any such form of workplace discrimination becomes apparent, you should strongly consider contacting an agency like Yeremian Law’s employment attorneys to take up the case for you.

Far more often, though, whether or not we land the job will depend primarily on the way we present ourselves, and the mindset we take into the interview with us. And, in any case, it’s always more productive and empowering to assume that the odds are good that we will walk away with whatever position we applied to.

One of the most essential things for interviewing well is to go into the interview with as much confidence (but not “arrogance”) as possible. Of course, though, “be confident” is much easier said than done.

Here are a few tips for boosting your confidence for an interview, that may make all the difference in how you feel going into it.

Put in the work in advance

To a large extent, “confidence” is a matter of believing that we have the potential, ability, and wherewithal, to succeed in a given domain of life.

Our level of confidence doesn’t always correlate exactly with how prepared we actually are to meet and overcome the obstacles that face us, in reality, but there certainly is some strong correlation there.

One of the most effective and direct ways of building your confidence for an interview is to put in a lot of work in advance, to prepare. This means going over your cv with a fine-toothed comb, considering all the different kinds of questions that you might be asked, and coming up with potent answers to them. Rehearsing questions over, and over again. And so on.

In essence, you should work on preparing for the interview, until you become absolutely sick of it. At that point, you’re much likelier to feel a sense of confidence, competence, and capability, when you walk into the room and meet your interviewer.

One of the most essential things for interviewing well is to go into the interview with as much confidence (but not “arrogance”) as possible. Of course, though, “be confident” is much easier said than done.

Rehearse the interview with a friend, relative, or even just in the mirror

“Practice makes perfect” is a well-worn old saying that we’re all familiar with. And the great thing is that it applies, effectively, in all areas of life.

If you train and practice consistently at a given sport, you will become a better athlete at that sport, no questions asked. If you practice your writing over and over again, you will become a stronger writer.

By the same token, “practising” your interview with a friend, relative, or even just in the mirror, can work wonders in helping you to familiarise yourself with the situation, to be quick on your feet and charismatic with your replies, and to manage your emotions.

“Mock interviews” can feel pretty silly to do, when all is said and done. But it’s impossible to overstate just how significant an impact even just “interviewing yourself” in the mirror can have.

And, if you’re able to get a friend or relative standing in as the interviewer, you’ll be in the much more “realistic” position of carrying on an active, work-focused, and critical dialogue with another person.

At the very least, “rehearsing” in this manner will make you feel a lot more like you’re entering familiar territory when you step into the interview room, and this, in turn, will likely mean that you’re entering the situation from a position of much greater confidence.

Practice a bit of positive visualisation before going in for the interview

Positive visualisation doesn’t always get treated with a lot of respect, as a strategy for pursuing and achieving success in the business world. Largely, this is due to its associations with the new-age spiritual movement, and with metaphysical concepts in general.

In reality, though, even some of the most hard-nosed business professionals of all time have actively written and talked about the importance of positive visualisation in their own lives, and in ensuring their own professional success.

In fact, positive visualisation can be such a potent technique for increasing your confidence, that it’s standard practice among many high-level athletes – who routinely visualise themselves performing to the peak of their abilities during a tough game. And, suffice to say, professional sports are very “physical,” and “practical,” professions.

Before you go into the interview, spend a decent amount of time visualising yourself performing excellently, being relaxed, and having great rapport with your interview. All of this can help to put you in a much more success-oriented state of mind, and can work wonders on your confidence and ability to relax into the interview.

Be sure to get enough sleep the night before the interview, and do things that help you to relax and unwind

You could have the perfect skill set for the job you’re applying to, you could be a naturally likable and charismatic person, but if you go into an interview and you are an absolute bundle of nerves, you’re unlikely to feel and express a high degree of confidence, or to make the best possible impression.

One great tip for increasing your confidence for an interview is simply to ensure that you don’t do anything beforehand that puts you in an inordinately stressed out state of mind.

Among other things, that means that you should eat well before your interview, shouldn’t over-caffeinate yourself, and you get a good night’s sleep before attending your interview.

Various other specific tricks and techniques might help to get you in a relaxed frame of mind. As a general rule, you want to be quite at ease when you enter the room.